Vioxx Settlement Plan
Heads for Key Deadlines

As deadlines near on the settlement Merck & Co. has proposed for cases related to its Vioxx painkiller, it looks highly likely enough plaintiffs will sign on to seal the deal.

At the same time, the number of claimants threatening to opt out of the settlement -- and legal challenges to a provision aimed at preventing that -- suggest Merck could face continued litigation and a higher price tag than the settlement's advertised $4.85...